Absorbent article having containment gaskets

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a distinctive absorbent article which includes a pair of stretchable leg containment gaskets. The leg containment gaskets include a bodyfacing surface which extends along a width of the leg containment gaskets and which is adapted to be in a contacting relationship with a wearer&#39;s body when in use. An outboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets is attached to the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent article along an attached width. An inboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets remains unattached from said longitudinal side portions in at least the crotch portion of the absorbent article along an unattached width. The attached width of each of the leg containment gaskets in the crotch portion of the absorbent article is at least about 30 percent of the width of the leg containment gasket. The absorbent article may also include a pair of stretchable waist containment gaskets. In addition, the absorbent article may include at least one waist flap to provide additional void volume to help contain bodily exudates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an absorbent article which includescontainment gaskets. The invention more particularly relates to anabsorbent article which uses a composite material to provide containmentgaskets which provide a seal against the body of a wearer to preventleakage of body exudates. The invention also relates to an absorbentarticle which includes such containment gaskets and at least one waistflap to provide a barrier and additional void volume to contain bodyexudates.

1. Description of the Related Art

It is desired that absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants orincontinence garments both provide a close, comfortable fit about thewearer and contain body exudates. Absorbent articles typically haveelasticized portions at the leg and waist openings to provide animproved fit about the wearer and contain body exudates. For example,conventional absorbent articles generally utilize elastic strandspositioned at the leg and waist opening regions to gather the absorbentarticle and hold it against the body of the wearer. However, absorbentarticles having such elasticized portions have commonly failed or leakedat the legs and waist when the wearer has exerted compressive forces onthe absorbent article.

Typically, the leakage at the legs and waist is due to a variety ofreasons. For example, conventional absorbent articles generally have arelatively small absorbent capacity and a relatively small void volumecapacity in the crotch portion. As used herein, the term "void volume"refers to the void volume created between the absorbent article and thewearer when in use. Such void volume is desirable to provide containmentof body exudates and, in particular, containment of solid and semi-solidbody exudates. The crotch portion of such conventional absorbentarticles having a relatively small absorbent capacity and small voidvolume has become saturated and resulted in excessive pooling of bodyexudates on the bodyfacing surface of the absorbent article. The pooledexudates can then leak from the leg openings of the absorbent articlewhen compressive forces are exerted by the wearer. Such leakageundesirably soils the outer clothing or bedding of the wearer.

Moreover, insufficient torsional rigidity or stiffness of the leg andwaist opening regions of the absorbent articles has resulted in leakagearound the leg and waist openings when the wearer has exertedcompressive forces on the absorbent article. Elasticized portions whichare typically used at the leg and waist opening regions have not hadsufficient rigidity and have tended to provide only a relatively smallarea of contact with the body of the wearer. Such low rigidity andminimal contact has also resulted in an undesirable amount of leakage.

Attempts to alleviate the leakage of fluid have included providingphysical barriers such as containment flaps in combination with elasticleg and waist gathers. High-absorbency particles have also been includedin the absorbent structure to increase the fluid holding capacity invarious regions of the absorbent article.

However, such attempts have not sufficiently reduced the amount ofleakage in absorbent articles and, in particular, in absorbent articleswhich include an absorbent core which has a narrow crotch width. Theaddition of containment flaps and elastic leg and waist gathers hashelped reduce leakage but such absorbent articles have still had anundesirable amount of leakage. Moreover, typical elastic leg and waistgathers have not been sufficiently soft and have tended to irritate theskin of the wearer. Further, many of the containment flaps used have notbeen sufficiently rigid and have tended to collapse in use. Thecontainment flaps also have not remained sufficiently spaced away fromthe bodyside surface of the absorbent article to efficiently providevoid volume capacity to contain solid body exudates such as feces.

Despite the attempts to develop improved absorbent articles, thereremains a need for absorbent articles which better contain bodilyexudates when under compressive forces. There is a need for an absorbentarticle that can effectively provide a soft, conformable seal about thelegs and waist of the wearer to better contain body exudates. Moreover,there is a need for an absorbent article which is capable of maintainingsufficient void volume under typical loading conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the difficulties and problems discussed above, a newabsorbent article which has leg containment gaskets and sufficient voidvolume to contain body exudates has been discovered.

In one aspect, the present invention can provide a distinctive absorbentarticle which includes a pair of soft leg containment gaskets at the legopening regions. The absorbent article includes a front portion, a rearportion, a crotch portion which extends between and connects the frontportion to the rear portion and a pair of longitudinal side portions.The absorbent article comprises an outer cover, a bodyside liner whichis superposed on the outer cover and an absorbent core which is locatedbetween the outer cover and the bodyside liner and which has a pair oflongitudinal edges.

The absorbent article further comprises a pair of leg containmentgaskets which have an inboard edge, an outboard edge, a width, athickness, a bodyfacing surface which is configured to be in acontacting relationship with a wearer's body when in use, and at leastone elongated elastic member which is configured to gather the legcontainment gasket when relaxed. The outboard edge of each of the legcontainment gaskets is attached to the longitudinal side portions of theabsorbent article along an attached width. The inboard edge of each ofthe leg containment gaskets remains unattached from the longitudinalside portions in at least the crotch portion of the absorbent articlealong an unattached width. The attached width of each leg containmentgasket in the crotch portion of the absorbent article is at least about30 percent of the total width of each leg containment gasket. In aparticular aspect, the absorbent core has a crotch width in the crotchportion of the absorbent article which is less than about 7.08centimeters.

Each of the leg containment gaskets may comprise a facing layer whichprovides the bodyfacing surface of the leg containment gasket, asubstrate layer which is disposed in a facing relationship with thefacing layer and at least one elongated elastic member which is disposedbetween and attached to at least one of the facing layer and thesubstrate layer. The elongated elastic member gathers the legcontainment gasket when relaxed. In a particular aspect, the inboardedge of each of the leg containment gaskets is located outboard of thelongitudinal edges of the absorbent core.

In a further aspect, the absorbent article also comprises a pair ofwaist containment gaskets which have an inside edge, an outside edge,and a bodyside surface which extends along a width of each of the waistcontainment gaskets and which is configured to be in a contactingrelationship with the wearer's body when in use. The outside edge ofeach of the waist containment gaskets is attached to the absorbentarticle and the inside edge of each of the waist containment gasketsremains unattached from the absorbent article along at least a portionof a length of the waist containment gasket.

In another aspect, the present invention can provide an absorbentarticle which includes a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portionwhich extends between and connects the front portion to the rear portionand a pair of longitudinal side portions. The absorbent articlecomprises an outer cover, a bodyside liner which is superposed on theouter cover, an absorbent core which is located between the outer coverand the bodyside liner and a pair of leg containment gaskets. Each legcontainment gasket includes an inboard edge, an outboard edge and awidth. The outboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets isattached to the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent article andthe inboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets remainsunattached from the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent articlein at least the crotch portion of the absorbent article. The absorbentarticle further comprises at least one waist flap which includes aproximal edge which is attached to the absorbent article and a distaledge which remains unattached from the bodyside liner of the absorbentarticle between the inboard edges of the leg containment gaskets.

The distal edge of the waist flap overlaps the inboard edge of each ofthe leg containment gaskets. The inboard edge of each of the legcontainment gaskets is configured to maintain the distal edge of thewaist flap in a spaced apart relationship from the bodyside liner andabsorbent core of the absorbent article. In a particular aspect, theinboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets is located outboardof the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core. The waist flap maycomprise a nonwoven laminate material which may be liquid impermeable.The waist flap may also include at least one elastic element disposedalong the distal edge of the waist flap. In a particular aspect, theelastic element in the waist flap is disposed between the inboard edgesof the leg containment gaskets.

The present invention can advantageously provide an absorbent articlewhich includes leg containment gaskets which are capable of efficientlycontaining bodily exudates while providing a conforming, comfortable fitabout the wearer. The leg containment gaskets are configured to providea sufficient area of sealing contact with the body of a wearer toeffectively seal against the leakage of body exudates. The legcontainment gaskets and absorbent core of the absorbent article are alsoconfigured to provide sufficient void volume to contain body exudatesand, in particular, solid and semi-solid body exudates. The presentinvention can also advantageously provide an absorbent article whichincludes leg containment gaskets and at least one waist flap which isconfigured to remain spaced away from the bodyside of the absorbentarticle to provide additional void volume to contain body exudates. As aresult, the absorbent article of the present invention can reduce theamount of leakage around the leg and waist openings of the absorbentarticle even when the width of the crotch section of the absorbent coreof the absorbent article is very narrow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and furtheradvantages will become apparent when reference is made to the followingdetailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawingswherein like numerals represent like elements. The drawings are merelyrepresentative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appendedclaims.

FIG. 1A representatively shows a top plan view of an absorbent articleof the present invention;

FIG. 1B representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 1A wherein the leg and waist containment gaskets havecontracted and gathered the side edges of the absorbent article;

FIG. 1C representatively shows a lateral cross-sectional view of theabsorbent article of FIG. 1B taken along line 1--1;

FIG. 2 representatively shows a lateral cross-sectional view of anexample of a leg containment gasket of the present invention;

FIG. 3A representatively shows a top plan view of another absorbentarticle of the present invention;

FIG. 3B representatively shows a perspective view of the absorbentarticle of FIG. 3A wherein the leg and waist containment gaskets havecontracted and gathered the side edges of the absorbent article; and

FIG. 3C representatively shows a lateral cross-sectional view of theabsorbent article of FIG. 3B taken along line 3--3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent article which includes legcontainment gaskets which are configured to efficiently contain bodyexudates while providing a conforming, comfortable fit about the wearer.The absorbent article may also include an absorbent core which has arelatively narrow crotch width dimension to provide an improved fitabout the wearer. Moreover, the absorbent article may include at leastone waist flap which is configured to assist in containing body exudatesand, in particular, containing solid and semi-solid body exudates.

The absorbent article of the present invention will be described interms of a diaper article adapted to be worn by infants about the lowertorso. It is understood that the absorbent article of the presentinvention is equally applicable to other articles such as adultincontinent products, training pants, feminine care products and thelike.

FIGS. 1A-1C representatively illustrate an absorbent article 20 of thepresent invention. The surface of the article which contacts the weareris facing the viewer. As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C,the absorbent article 20 defines a front portion 22, a rear portion 24,and a crotch portion 26 connecting the front portion 22 and the rearportion 24. The absorbent article 20 includes a bodyside liner 30, anouter cover 32 and an absorbent core 34 located between the bodysideliner 30 and the outer cover 32. The absorbent article 20 also includesa longitudinal centerline 46 and a transverse centerline 48. As usedherein, reference to a front portion refers to that part of theabsorbent article which is generally located on the front of a wearerwhen in use, reference to the rear portion refers to the portion of thearticle generally located at the rear of the wearer when in use, andreference to the crotch portion refers to that portion which isgenerally located between the legs of the wearer when in use.

The crotch portion 26 has opposite longitudinal side portions 28 whichinclude a pair of longitudinally-extending leg cuffs 36. The leg cuffs36 are generally adapted to fit about the legs of a wearer in use. Theleg cuffs 36 include a pair of leg containment gaskets 38. The absorbentarticle 20 may further include a front waist containment gasket 40 and arear waist containment gasket 42. The rear portion 24 of the absorbentarticle 20 further includes a fastening means 44 which is intended tohold the absorbent article 20 about the waist of the wearer when in use.It should be recognized that individual components of the absorbentarticle 20 may be optional depending upon the intended use of theabsorbent article 20.

Specific examples of disposable diapers on which the different aspectsof the present invention may be utilized are also disclosed in thefollowing U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications: U.S. Pat. No.4,798,603 issued Jan. 17, 1989, to Meyer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,668issued Jan. 5, 1993, to Bernardin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,672 issued Jan.5, 1993, to Bruemmer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,606 issued Mar. 9,1993, to Proxmire et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/096,654 filed Jul. 22, 1993, in the name of Hanson et al.

The bodyside liner 30 of the absorbent article 20, as representativelyillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, suitably presents a bodyfacing surface whichis intended to be worn adjacent the body of the wearer and is compliant,soft feeling and nonirritating to the wearer's skin. Further, thebodyside liner 30 may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent core 34, topresent a relatively dry surface to the wearer, and may be sufficientlyporous to be liquid permeable, permitting liquid to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable bodyside liner 30 may be manufacturedfrom a wide selection of web materials, such as porous foams,reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, natural fibers (for example,wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester orpolypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.The bodyside liner 30 is suitably employed to help isolate the wearer'sskin from fluids held in the absorbent core 34.

Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner30. For example, the bodyside liner may be composed of a meltblown orspunbonded web of polyolefin fibers. The bodyside liner may also be abonded-carded web composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. Thebodyside liner may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material,and the hydrophobic material may, optionally, be treated with asurfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level ofwettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of thepresent invention, the bodyside liner 30 comprises a nonwoven, spunbond,polypropylene fabric composed of about 2.8-3.2 denier fibers formed intoa web having a basis weight of about 22 grams per square meter and adensity of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter. The fabric is surfacetreated with about 0.28 weight percent of a surfactant commerciallyavailable from Rohm and Haas Co. under the trade designation TritonX-102.

The outer cover 32 of the absorbent article 20, as representativelyillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, may suitably be composed of a material whichis either liquid permeable or liquid impermeable. It is generallypreferred that the outer cover 32 be formed from a material which issubstantially impermeable to fluids. For example, a typical outer covercan be manufactured from a thin plastic film or other flexibleliquid-impermeable material. For example, the outer cover 32 may beformed from a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012millimeter (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeter (2.0 mils). If it isdesired to present the outer cover 32 with a more clothlike feeling, theouter cover 32 may comprise a polyethylene film having a nonwoven weblaminated to the outer surface thereof, such as a spunbond web ofpolyolefin fibers. For example, a polyethylene film having a thicknessof about 0.015 millimeter (0.6 mil) may have thermally laminated theretoa spunbond web of polyolefin fibers, which fibers have a thickness ofabout 1.5 to 2.5 denier per filament, which nonwoven web has a basisweight of about 24 grams per square meter (0.7 ounce per square yard).Methods of forming such clothlike outer covers are known to thoseskilled in the art.

Further, the outer cover 32 may be formed of a woven or nonwoven fibrousweb layer which has been totally or partially constructed or treated toimpart a desired level of liquid impermeability to selected regions thatare adjacent or proximate the absorbent core 34. Still further, theouter cover 32 may optionally be composed of a micro-porous "breathable"material which permits vapors to escape from the absorbent core 34 whilestill preventing liquid exudates from passing through the outer cover32.

The bodyside liner 30 and outer cover 32 are generally adhered to oneanother so as to form a pocket in which the absorbent core 34 islocated. The bodyside liner 30 and outer cover 32 may be adhereddirectly to each other around the outer periphery of the absorbentarticle 20 by any means known to those skilled in the art such asadhesive bonds, sonic bonds or thermal bonds. For example, a uniformcontinuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, a sprayedor meltblown pattern of adhesive or an array of lines, swirls or spotsof adhesive may be used to affix the bodyside liner 30 to the outercover 32. Such bonding means may also be suitable for attaching othercomponents of the absorbent article of the present invention together.It should be noted that both the bodyside liner 30 and the outer cover32 need not extend completely to the outer periphery of the absorbentarticle. For example, the outer cover 32 may extend to the outerperiphery of the absorbent article while the bodyside liner 30 may beattached to the outer cover 32 inboard of the outer periphery, or moretowards the longitudinal centerline 46, of the absorbent article.

The leg cuffs 36 are suitably formed by portions of the outer cover 32,and/or bodyside liner 30, which extend beyond the longitudinal sides ofthe absorbent core 34. The leg cuffs 36 can also be formed from separatematerials which are attached to the outer cover 32 and/or bodyside liner30.

The absorbent core 34, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C,is positioned between the bodyside liner 30 and the outer cover 32 toform the absorbent article 20. The absorbent core 34 is generallyconformable and capable of absorbing and retaining body exudates. Theabsorbent core 34 has a crotch section 50 and longitudinal sides 54.

The absorbent core 34 may have any of a number of shapes and sizes. Forexample, the composite absorbent core may be rectangular, I-shaped orT-shaped. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 34should be compatible with the size of the intended wearer and the fluidloading imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article. It isgenerally preferred that the absorbent core 34 be narrower in the crotchsection 50 of the absorbent core 34 than in the front or back section.It has been found that the absorbent core 34 of the present invention isparticularly useful when the crotch width dimension 52 of the crotchsection 50 of the absorbent core 34 is from about 2.5 to about 10.2centimeters (1.0 to about 4.0 inches), desirably no more than about 7.6centimeters (3.0 inches) and more desirably no more than about 5.1centimeters (2.0 inches). The narrow crotch width dimension 52 of thecrotch section 50 of the absorbent core 34 allows the absorbent article20 to better fit between the legs of the wearer.

The absorbent core 34 may suitably comprise various types of wettable,hydrophilic fibrous materials. Examples of suitable materials includenaturally occurring organic fibers composed of intrinsically wettablematerial, such as cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers composed ofcellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganicfibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glassfibers; synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplasticpolymers, such as particular polyester and polyamide fibers; andsynthetic fibers composed of a nonwettable thermoplastic polymer, suchas polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized by appropriatemeans known to those skilled in the art. The absorbent core 34 may alsocomprise selected blends of the various types of fibers mentioned above.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the absorbent core 34 mayinclude a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulosicfibers, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material such as thatcommonly known as superabsorbent material. As used herein, the term"high-absorbency material" refers to materials that are capable ofabsorbing at least 10 times their own weight in liquid. In a particularembodiment, the absorbent core 34 comprises a mixture of superabsorbenthydrogel-forming particles and wood pulp fluff. The wood pulp fluff maybe exchanged with synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or with acombination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The high-absorbencymaterial may be substantially homogeneously mixed with the hydrophilicfibers or may be nonuniformly mixed. The high-absorbency material mayalso be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the matrix ofhydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, the absorbent core 34 may comprise alaminate of fibrous webs and high-absorbency material or other suitablemeans of maintaining a high-absorbency material in a localized area.

The high-absorbency material can be selected from natural, synthetic andmodified natural polymers and materials. The high-absorbency materialscan be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds,such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crosslinked" refers to any meansfor effectively rendering normally water-soluble materials substantiallywater insoluble but swellable. Such means can include, for example,physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ioniccomplexes and associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogenbonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.

Examples of synthetic, polymeric, high-absorbency materials include thealkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid) andpoly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamides), poly(vinyl ethers), maleicanhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly(vinylpyrolidone), poly(vinyl morpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixturesand copolymers thereof. Further polymers suitable for use in theabsorbent core include natural and modified natural polymers, such ashydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch,methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, andthe natural gums, such as alginates, xanthum gum, locust bean gum, andthe like. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially syntheticabsorbent polymers can also be useful in the present invention.

The high-absorbency material may be in any of a wide variety ofgeometric forms. As a general rule, it is preferred that thehigh-absorbency material be in the form of discrete particles. However,the high-absorbency material may also be in the form of fibers, flakes,rods, spheres, needles, or the like. Conglomerates of particles ofhigh-absorbency material may also be used. An example of asuperabsorbent polymer suitable for use in the present invention is asuperabsorbent polymer designated IM5000 which is commercially availablefrom Hoechst-Celanese, a business having offices in Portsmouth, Vir.Other suitable high-absorbency materials may include superabsorbentpolymers which are commercially available from Dow Chemical Corp., abusiness having offices in Midland, Mich.

As a general rule, the high-absorbency material is present in theabsorbent core 34 of the present invention in an amount of from about 5to about 95 weight percent and desirably from about 10 to about 60weight percent based on the total weight of the absorbent core 34. Thedistribution of the high-absorbency material within the differentportions of the absorbent core 34 can vary depending upon the intendedend use of the absorbent core 34.

The fastening means 44 are typically applied to the corners of the rearportion 24 of the absorbent article 20 to provide a means for holdingthe article 20 on the wearer. Suitable fastening means 44 are well knownto those skilled in the art and can include tape tab fasteners, hook andloop fasteners, mushroom and loop fasteners, snaps, pins, belts and thelike, and combinations thereof. Typically, the fastening means 44 areconfigured to be refastenable. It should also be understood that it maybe possible to dispense with the fastening means 44 in an absorbentarticle having a given design configuration.

The leg cuffs 36, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C,include leg containment gaskets 38. Waist containment gaskets 40 and 42may also be provided. The leg containment gaskets 38 are sufficientlystiff to resist external forces caused by the movements of the wearerwhile also being conformable to maintain a positive, contactingrelationship with the legs of the wearer to effectively reduce oreliminate the leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article 20. Inaddition, the leg containment gaskets 38 are configured to providesufficient void volume between the absorbent article 20 and the body ofthe wearer when in use.

As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2, the legcontainment gaskets 38 include an inboard edge 66, an outboard edge 68,a width 70 and a thickness 72. As used herein, the term "outboard"refers to a location more remote from the longitudinal centerline 46 ofthe absorbent article 20 whereas the term "inboard" refers to a locationcloser to the longitudinal centerline 46 of the absorbent article 20.Each of the leg containment gaskets 38 also includes a bodyfacingsurface 82 which is configured to be in a contacting relationship with awearer's body when in use. The bodyfacing surface 82 of each legcontainment gasket 38 generally extends along the width 70 and length ofeach leg containment gasket 38. Each of the leg containment gaskets 38also includes at least one elongated elastic member which is configuredto gather the leg containment gasket 38 when it is relaxed.

The leg containment gaskets 38 may be of any desired shape andconfiguration. Suitable shapes include, for example, circular,semicircular, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, oblong, dog-boned,hourglass-shaped, or oval. Desirably, the shape of the leg containmentgaskets 38 provides a sufficient amount of surface area which is in acontacting relationship with the body of the wearer when in use toprovide a seal which better contains body exudates. For example, atleast about 30 percent, desirably at least about 60 percent, moredesirably at least about 80 percent and even more desirably at leastabout 95 percent of the bodyfacing surface 82 of each leg containmentgasket 38 is configured to be in a contacting relationship with thewearer's body when in use. In addition, each leg containment gasket 38is configured to provide at least about 34 square centimeters anddesirably at least about 65 square centimeters of contact with thewearer's body when in use for improved performance.

Typically, the width 70 of the leg containment gaskets 38 is at leastabout 1.0 centimeter, desirably from about 1.5 to about 3.2 centimetersand more desirably from about 1.9 to about 3.0 centimeters to provide animproved gasket or seal about the legs of the wearer. The legcontainment gaskets 38 may also extend longitudinally along the entirelength of the absorbent article 20 or may only extend partially alongthe length of the absorbent article 20. When the leg containment gaskets38 are shorter in length than the absorbent article 20, the legcontainment gaskets 38 can be selectively positioned anywhere along thelongitudinal side portions of the absorbent article 20. In a particularaspect of the invention, the leg containment gaskets 38 are positionedalong the longitudinal side portions 28 primarily in the crotch portion26 of the absorbent article 20. Each leg containment gasket 38 also hasa thickness which is at least about 1 millimeter, desirably at leastabout 2 millimeters and more desirably from about 3 to about 10millimeters under a load of 6,900 dynes per square centimeter to providean improved seal and barrier against the lateral flow of body exudates.

Each leg containment gasket 38 is attached to the longitudinal sideportions 28 of the absorbent article 20 such that a channel is formed tocontain body exudates. The outboard edge 68 of each of the legcontainment gaskets 38 is attached to the longitudinal side portions 28of the absorbent article while the inboard edge 66 of each of the legcontainment gaskets 38 remains unattached from the longitudinal sideportions 28 in at least the crotch portion 26 of the absorbent article20. The leg containment gaskets 38 may be attached to the absorbentarticle 20 in any of several ways which are well known to those skilledin the art. For example, the gaskets may be ultrasonically bonded,thermally bonded or adhesively bonded to the absorbent article 20. Theinboard edge 66 of each of the leg containment gaskets 38 is generallyparallel to the longitudinal centerline 46 of the absorbent article 20.The inboard edge 66 of each leg containment gasket 38 is also in acloser proximity to the longitudinal centerline 46 than the outboardedge 68 of each of the leg containment gaskets 38.

As representatively illustrated in FIG. 1C, the outboard edge 68 of eachleg containment gasket 38 is attached to the longitudinal side portions28 of the absorbent article 20 for an attached width 86. In addition,the inboard edge 66 of each leg containment gasket 38 remains unattachedfrom the longitudinal side portions 28 in at least the crotch portion 26of the absorbent article 20 for an unattached width 84 to provide anundercut. In a particular aspect, the inboard edge 66 of each legcontainment gasket 38 remains unattached from the longitudinal sideportions 28 along the entire length of the leg containment gasket 38 toprovide improved performance. The attached width 86 must be sufficientto ensure that the desired portion of the bodyfacing surface 82 of theleg containment gasket 38 remains in a contacting relationship with thebody of the wearer when in use to provide the desired seal to reduceleakage of body exudates. In a particular aspect, the attached width 86is at least about 30 percent, desirably at least about 60 percent, moredesirably at least about 75 percent and even more desirably at leastabout 90 percent of the total width 70 of the leg containment gasket 38.For example, the attached width 86 of the leg containment gasket 38 maybe at least about 1.0 centimeters, desirably at least about 1.4centimeters, and more desirably from about 1.4 to about 1.6 centimeters.Desirably, the attached width 86 is greater than the unattached width 84to ensure proper sealing contact with the wearer.

Each leg containment gasket may also be configured such that the inboardedge 66 of the leg containment gasket 38 may be spaced away from thebodyside liner 30 and the outer cover 32 of the absorbent article 20when in use. As representatively illustrated in FIG. 1C, the inboardedge 66 of each leg containment gasket 38 is desirably spaced away fromthe bodyside liner 30 and outer cover 32 when in use thereby providing achannel 74 and 76 to better contain body exudates. To provide thechannels 74 and 76, the unattached width 84 of each leg containmentgasket 38 is at least about 1 millimeter, desirably at least about 2millimeters and more desirably from about 2 to about 8 millimeters. Theunattached width 84 and stiffness of each leg containment gasket 38ensures that the bodyfacing surface 82 of each leg containment gasket 38maintains a contacting relationship with the body of the wearer whilethe bodyside liner 30, outer cover 32 and absorbent core 34 may bespaced away from the body of the wearer.

As representatively illustrated in FIG. 1C, the inboard edge 66 of eachof the leg containment gaskets 38 may be located outboard of thelongitudinal sides 54 of the absorbent core 34 by a spacing distance 56.By locating the inboard edge 66 of each of the leg containment gaskets38 outboard of the longitudinal sides 54 of the absorbent core 34, aretention area 78 and 80 is formed on both sides of the absorbent core34. The retention areas 78 and 80 are configured to act in conjunctionwith the channels 74 and 76 to provide void volume to contain bodyexudates thereby improving the performance of the absorbent article. Thespacing distance 56 between the inboard edge 66 of each of the legcontainment gaskets 38 and the longitudinal sides 54 of the absorbentcore 34 should be sufficient to provide void volume to contain bodyexudates. For example, the spacing distance 56 when the absorbentarticle 20 is laid out in a flat, untensioned configuration, may be atleast about 0.5 centimeters, desirably from about 1.0 to about 4.0centimeters and more desirably from about 2.0 to about 3.0 centimetersto provide the desired containment.

Each leg containment gasket 38 may also be elongated prior to beingattached to the longitudinal side portions 28 of the absorbent article20. For example, the leg containment gaskets 38 may be elongated atleast about 10 percent and desirably from about 20 to about 80 percentbefore being attached such that the leg containment gaskets 38 gatherthe longitudinal side portions 28 of the absorbent article 20 whenrelaxed.

The leg containment gaskets 38 of the present invention, asrepresentatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2, have a particularly highstiffness or torsional rigidity to provide the desired seal against thebody of the wearer to better contain body exudates. For example, in aparticular embodiment, the leg containment gaskets 38 have a GurleyStiffness of at least about 50 milligrams, desirably at least about 100milligrams, more desirably from about 100 to about 1100 milligrams andeven more desirably from about 300 to about 1100 milligrams. As usedherein, the term "Gurley Stiffness" refers to the stiffness valueobtained according to the "Gurley Stiffness Test" set forth below inconnection with the Examples.

The physical properties of the leg containment gaskets 38 help preventleakage of bodily exudates when the wearer exerts compressive forces onthe absorbent article. In particular, the stiffness of the legcontainment gaskets 38 prevents twisting and bunching of the legopenings of the absorbent article which can lead to leaks. In addition,the elasticity and conformability of the leg containment gaskets 38ensures that the bodyfacing surface 82 of the leg containment gaskets 38provides an adequate seal against the body of the wearer. The physicalproperties of the leg containment gaskets of the different aspects ofthe present invention, such as the thickness and stiffness, alsofunction to space the bodyside liner 30, outer cover 32 and absorbentcore 34 away from the wearer's body when in use. As such, void volume iscreated between the wearer's body and the bodyside liner 30 andabsorbent core 34 of the absorbent article 20 to help contain bodyexudates.

The leg containment gaskets 38 can be made from any material whichprovides the desired properties. FIG. 2 representatively illustrates alateral cross-sectional view of one aspect of a leg containment gasket38 of the present invention. The leg containment gasket 38 includes afacing layer 60 and at least one elastic member 64. The facing layer 60is configured to provide the bodyfacing surface 82 of the legcontainment gasket 38. The elastic members 64 are attached to the facinglayer 60 and are configured to gather the leg containment gasket 38 whenrelaxed. The composite of the facing layer 60 and elastic members 64 maythen be attached to the longitudinal side portions 28 of the absorbentarticle 20, as representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. For example,the composite may be attached to the bodyside liner 30 or outer cover 32of the absorbent article 20.

As representatively illustrated in FIG. 2, each leg containment gasket38 may also include a substrate layer 62. The substrate layer 62 may bedisposed in a facing relationship with the facing layer 60 with theelastic members 64 disposed between the substrate layer 62 and facinglayer 60. In such a configuration, the substrate layer 62 is attached tothe longitudinal side portions 28 of the absorbent article 20. Thefacing layer 60 and substrate layer 62 need not have the same dimensionsas long as the leg containment gasket 38 has the desired overall width70.

Many different materials are suitable for use as the facing layer 60.For example, the facing layer 60 can comprise a high loft nonwovenmaterial having a basis weight of from about 15 to about 180 grams persquare meter and desirably from about 50 to about 120 grams per squaremeter. The facing layer 60 may also have a thickness of at least 0.67millimeters under a pressure 6,900 dynes per square centimeter (0.1pounds per square inch) and a density of from about 0.02 to about 0.03grams per cubic centimeter.

In a particular embodiment, the facing layer 60 may be a spunbondfibrous nonwoven web which contains bicomponent fibers which have adiameter of from about 15 to about 30 microns. The bicomponent fibersmay be made from polymers such as blends of polyolefins and/orpolyolefins and polyesters. For example, the facing layer 60 may includea through-air bonded bicomponent spunbond web which includespolyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fibers. The facing layer 60 mayalso include other materials such as cotton, rayon, wood pulp,inherently wettable synthetic polymers, hydrophilized or surface treatedpolymers and the like. The facing layer 60 may also include othernonwettable materials and materials that are hydrophobic.

When the leg containment gasket 38 includes a substrate layer 62, thesubstrate layer 62 may include a film or a nonwoven web such as athrough-air bonded or point bonded spunbond web or carded web.Generally, the substrate layer 62 has a lower bulk or thickness and ahigher density than the facing layer 60. For example, the substratelayer 62 may include a through-air bonded spunbond web which can includebicomponent fibers such as those used in the facing layer 60. Thesubstrate layer 62 may also include a polymeric film such as a 0.5 milthick polyethylene film which is commercially available under the tradedesignation LSF-22 from Consolidated Thermoplastics, Inc., a businesshaving offices in Schaumburg, Ill. In a particular aspect of theinvention, the substrate layer 62 is provided by the outer cover 32 ofthe absorbent article 20 and the elastic member 64 and facing layer 60are attached to the outer cover 32 along the longitudinal side portions28 of the absorbent article 20.

Materials suitable for use as the elastic member 64 of the legcontainment gaskets 38 are known to those skilled in the art. Exemplaryof such materials are sheets or strands or ribbons of a polymeric,elastomeric material which are adhered to the facing layer 60 orsubstrate layer 62 in a stretched position, or which are attached to thefacing layer 60 or substrate layer 62 while the layer is pleated, suchthat elastic constrictive forces are imparted to the layer. The elasticmember 64 may also include such materials as polyurethane, synthetic andnatural rubber. In a particular aspect of the invention, the elasticmembers 64 may be composed of individual strands of 940 decitex LYCRA®which are commercially available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co., abusiness having offices in Wilmington, Del. The leg containment gaskets38 include from about 1 to about 10 elastic members and desirably atleast about 6 elastic members per centimeter of width. The elasticmembers 64 may be elongated prior to being attached to the facing layer60 or substrate layer 62. For example, the elastic members may beelongated at least about 150 percent and desirably from about 200 toabout 500 percent before being attached such that the elastic members 64gather the leg containment gaskets 38 when relaxed.

The facing layer 60, elastic member 64 and, optionally, the substratelayer 62 may be joined together by any means known to those skilled inthe art to provide the leg containment gaskets 38. For example,adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques may be used to jointhe layers together. A suitable adhesive includes Findley H-2096 hotmelt adhesive which is commercially available from Findley Adhesives,Inc., a business having offices located in Wauwatosa, Wis.

In a particular aspect, the leg containment gaskets 38 of the differentaspects of the present invention may be provided by the fibrous nonwovenelastic laminate material described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/316,185 filed Sep. 30, 1994, in the name of Yeo et al.

As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the absorbent article 20of the present invention may also include waist containment gaskets 40and 42 to help prevent the leakage of body exudates. Each waistcontainment gasket 40 and 42 includes an inside edge, an outside edgeand a bodyside surface which extends along the width of each of thewaist containment gaskets 40 and 42. The bodyside surface of each of thewaist containment gaskets 40 and 42 can be configured to be in acontacting relationship with the wearer's body when in use. The outsideedge of each waist containment gasket 40 and 42 is attached to theabsorbent article 20 while the inside edge of each waist containmentgasket 40 and 42 remains unattached from the absorbent article along atleast a portion of the length of the waist containment gasket 40 and 42.Similar to the leg containment gaskets 38, a channel may be providedbetween the unattached inside edge of the waist containment gasket 40and 42 and the bodyside liner 30 and outer cover 32 of the absorbentarticle 20 to better contain body exudates. The waist containmentgaskets 40 and 42 may be configured similar to and made from the samematerials as the leg containment gaskets 38.

The absorbent article of the present invention may also include at leastone waist flap to provide more void volume to better contain bodyexudates. As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the absorbentarticle 20 may include a front waist flap 100 and a rear waist flap 102.Each waist flap 100 and 102 has a proximal edge which may be attached tothe bodyside liner 30 or outer cover 32 along the outer periphery of theabsorbent article 20 and a distal edge 108 and 110 which remainsunattached from the absorbent article 20 along at least a portion of thelength of the distal edge 108 and 110. The waist flaps 100 and 102 mayalso have at least one elastic element 104 and 106 disposed along thedistal edge of the waist flaps 100 and 102.

As representatively illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the distal edges 108 and110 of the waist flaps 100 and 102 may be configured to overlap theinboard edges 66 of each of the leg containment gaskets 38. For example,the waist flap may be adhesively attached to the bodyfacing surface 82of each leg containment gasket 38 such that the waist flap overlaps eachleg containment gasket 38. In such a configuration, the distal edges 108and 110 of each waist flap 100 and 102 remain unattached from theabsorbent article 20 between the inboard edges 66 of the leg containmentgaskets 38. By attaching the waist flap to the leg containment gasketsin such a manner, the waist flaps are maintained in a spaced apartrelationship from the bodyside liner 30 and absorbent core 34. Thecombination of the leg containment gaskets 38 and waist flaps 100 and102 effectively provides a seal about the entire outer periphery of theabsorbent article 20 to reduce leakage of body exudates.

When the leg containment gaskets 38 are used to space the waist flapaway from the bodyside liner 30 and absorbent core 34, it is desirablethat the unattached width 84 of the leg containment gaskets 38 be suchthat the inboard edges 66 of the leg containment gaskets 38 tend tocurve upwards as representatively illustrated in FIG. 3C. For example,in this configuration, the unattached width 84 may be at least about 5millimeters and desirably from about 5 to about 8 millimeters. Inaddition, the stiffness and rigidity of each leg containment gasket 38assists in maintaining the waist flaps 100 and 102 in the spaced apartrelationship from the bodyside liner 30 and absorbent core 34 when inuse.

In use, such waist flaps 100 and 102 are configured to be positioned ina contacting relationship with the wearer's body. For example, asrepresentatively illustrated in FIG. 3C, a spaced apart distance 112between the waist flap 102 and the bodyside liner 30 and absorbent core34 may provide an area of void volume to help contain body exudates andprevent body exudates from leaking through the waist areas of theabsorbent article 20. The spaced apart distance 112 may be any distancewhich provides the desired void volume for containment. For example, thespaced apart distance 112 may be at least about 0.1 centimeters anddesirably from about 0.2 to about 1.0 centimeters.

Any materials which provide the desired performance are suitable for useas the waist flaps 100 and 102 of the present invention. For example,the waist flaps 100 and 102 can comprise a nonwoven material, such as astretch bonded laminate having a basis weight of from about 100 to about200 grams per square meter. Desirably, the waist flaps 100 and 102 arealso liquid impermeable.

Materials suitable for use as the elastic elements 104 and 106 of thewaist flaps 100 and 102 are known to those skilled in the art. Exemplaryof such materials are strands or ribbons of a polymeric, elastomericmaterial which are adhered to the waist flaps 100 and 102 in a stretchedposition, or which are attached to the waist flaps while the waist flapsare pleated, such that elastic constrictive forces are imparted to thewaist flaps. In a particular aspect of the invention, the elasticelements 104 and 106 may be composed of individual strands of 940decitex LYCRA® which are available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co., abusiness having offices in Wilmington, Del. Typically, the elasticelements 104 and 106 are elongated prior to being attached to the waistflaps. For example, the elastic elements may be elongated at least about5 percent and desirably from about 10 to about 80 percent before beingattached such that the elastic elements 104 and 106 gather the waistflaps 100 and 102 when relaxed.

The elastic elements 104 and 106 may or may not extend completely acrossa width of the waist flaps 100 and 102. In a particular aspect asrepresentatively illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the elastic elements 104and 106 only extend between the inboard edges 66 of the leg containmentgaskets 38. By only being attached between the leg containment gaskets38, the elastic forces imparted on the longitudinal side portions 28 ofthe absorbent article 20 by the elastic elements 104 and 106 areminimized.

The waist flaps 100 and 102 may be of any desired shape andconfiguration. Typically, the proximal edges of the waist flaps areconfigured to be attached to the outer periphery of the absorbentarticle 20. Each waist flap 100 and 102 has a length 114 along thelongitudinal centerline 46 of the absorbent article 20 which allows thewaist flap to contain body exudates. Desirably, the length 114 of eachwaist flap is at least about 1.0 centimeters, desirably from about 1.5to about 8.0 centimeters and more desirably from about 2.0 to about 5.0centimeters to provide sufficient void volume to contain body exudatesand, in particular, solid and semi-solid body exudates.

The different aspects of the present invention can advantageouslyprovide an absorbent article having a pair of leg containment gasketswhich are capable of efficiently maintaining sealing contact with awearer's body to more effectively prevent leakage of body exudates.Moreover, the absorbent article can also include waist flaps which canbe configured to provide additional void volume to help contain bodyexudates and prevent body exudates from leaking. In particular, thecombination of the leg containment gaskets and the waist flaps canprovide a seal about the entire outer periphery of the absorbentarticle. As a result, the absorbent article of the present invention canreduce the amount of leakage around the leg and waist openings of theabsorbent article even when the width of the crotch section of theabsorbent core of the absorbent article is very narrow.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to provide a more detailedunderstanding of the invention. The particular materials and parametersare exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Gurley Stiffness Test

This test is designed to measure the force, in milligrams, required tobend a sample of material under specific conditions. The recorded forceconstitutes a measurement of the stiffness of the material.

Equipment & Materials

1. Gurley Digital Stiffness Tester which is commercially available fromTeledyne Gurley, a business having offices in Troy, N.Y.

2. Weights of 5, 25, 50 and 200 grams commercially available fromTeledyne Gurley.

3. Paper Cutter

Test Procedure

1. Calibrate the Gurley Digital Stiffness Tester.

2. Cut the sample material using the paper cutter to provide a 1.0 inch×1.5 inch sample.

3. Position the sample in the Gurley Digital Stiffness Tester such thatthe sample is centered over the pendulum. The sample will overlap thetop of the pendulum by 0.25 inches and 0.25 inches will be held in thejaws of the tester.

4. Set the amount of weight and its position depending upon the relativestiffness of the sample.

5. Start the tester in motion.

6. Record the average scale reading.

Example 1

Five samples of a material which can be used to provide the legcontainment gaskets of the present invention were made. Asrepresentatively illustrated in FIG. 2, the material included a facinglayer 60 which was a through-air bonded bicomponent spunbond web ofpolyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fibers having a basis weight ofabout 33.9 grams per square meter. The elastic member 64 comprised aurethane film having a thickness of 1.0 mils which was commerciallyavailable from Deerfield Urethane, a business having offices located inSouth Deerfield, Mass., under the trade designation PT-6100 which waselongated 300 percent prior to attachment. The leg containment gasketmaterial did not include a substrate layer. The leg containment gasketmaterial had a thickness of 1.47 millimeters under a pressure of 6,900dynes per square centimeter (0.1 pounds per square inch). The sampleswere then subjected to the Gurley Stiffness Test described above. Thesamples had an average Gurley Stiffness of 53.17 milligrams.

Example 2

Five samples of a material which can be used to provide the legcontainment gaskets of the present invention were made. Asrepresentatively illustrated in FIG. 2, the material included a facinglayer 60 which was a through-air bonded bicomponent spunbond web ofpolyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fibers having a basis weight ofabout 102 grams per square meter. The substrate layer 62 was athrough-air bonded bicomponent spunbond web ofpolyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fibers having a basis weight ofabout 16.9 grams per square meter. The elastic member 64 includedindividual strands of 940 decitex LYCRA® which were commerciallyavailable from E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co., a business having offices inWilmington, Del. The material had about 3.1 elastic strands percentimeter of width which had been elongated 300 percent prior toattachment. The leg containment gasket material had a thickness of 3.81millimeters under a pressure of 6,900 dynes per square centimeter (0.1pounds per square inch). The samples were then subjected to the GurleyStiffness Test described above. The samples had an average GurleyStiffness of 1034.5 milligrams.

Comparative Example 1

Five samples of the elastic material used for the elasticized leg cuffson Step 2 sized HUGGIES® SUPREME diapers, which were commerciallyavailable from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a business having officeslocated in Neenab, WI, were obtained. The elastic material included alayer of 0.75 mil polypropylene film material which was commerciallyavailable from Edison Plastics Company, a business having officeslocated in South Plainfield, N.J. The elastic material also includedfour strands of 940 decitex LYCRA® which was commercially available fromE. I. DuPont de Nemours Co., a business having offices in Wilmington,Del. The elastic strands were stretched 200-350 percent before beingadhesively secured to the film layer. The elastic material was subjectedto the Gurley Stiffness Test as described above. The elastic materialhad an average Gurley Stiffness of 21.2 milligrams.

Comparative Example 2

Five samples of Step 5 sized HUGGIES® SUPREME diapers, which werecommercially available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation were obtained.The diapers included elasticized containment flaps which extendlongitudinally along the bodyside liner of the diaper and which areconfigured to remain in a generally perpendicular and uprightconfiguration from the bodyside liner. The elasticized containment flapsincluded a nonwoven laminate which is a meltblown film having a spunbondweb laminated thereto on both sides. The flaps also included two strandsof 470 decitex LYCRA® which was commercially available from E. I. DuPontde Nemours Co., a business having offices in Wilmington, Del. Theelasticized containment flaps were removed from the diapers, allowed torelax and subjected to the Gurley Stiffness Test as described above. Thesamples had an average Gurley Stiffness of 13.3 milligrams.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect tospecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to theseaspects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should beassessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

I claim:
 1. An absorbent article which includes a front portion, a rearportion, a crotch portion which extends between and connects said frontportion to said rear portion and a pair of longitudinal side portions,said absorbent article comprising:a) an outer cover; b) a bodyside linerwhich is superposed on said outer cover; c) an absorbent core which islocated between said outer cover and said bodyside liner and whichincludes a pair of longitudinal edges; and d) a pair of leg containmentgaskets, each of which includes an inboard edge, an outboard edge, awidth, a thickness, a bodyfacing surface which is configured to be in acontacting relationship with a wearers body when in use and at least oneelongated elastic member which is configured to gather said legcontainment gasket when relaxed, wherein said outboard edge is attachedto said longitudinal side portions of said absorbent article along asubstantially continuous attached width and said inboard edge remainsunattached from said longitudinal side portions in at least said crotchportion of said absorbent article along an unattached width and whereinsaid substantially continuous attached width of each of said legcontainment gaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbent article isat least about 60 percent of said width of each of said leg containmentgaskets.
 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein saidabsorbent core includes a crotch width in said crotch portion of saidabsorbent article which is no more than about 7.6 centimeters.
 3. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said thickness of each ofsaid leg containment gaskets is at least about 1.0 millimeters.
 4. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said attached width ofeach of said leg containment gaskets in said crotch portion of saidabsorbent article is at least about 75 percent of said width of each ofsaid leg containment gaskets.
 5. The absorbent article according toclaim 1 wherein said width of each of said leg containment gaskets is atleast about 1.0 centimeters.
 6. The absorbent article according to claim1 wherein said attached width of each of said leg containment gaskets insaid crotch portion of said absorbent article is at least about 1.0centimeters.
 7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein saidunattached width of each of said leg containment gaskets in said crotchportion of said absorbent article is at least about 1 millimeter.
 8. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said attached width ofeach of said leg containment gaskets in said crotch portion of saidabsorbent article is greater than said unattached width of each of saidleg containment gaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbentarticle.
 9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein saidinboard edge of each of said leg containment gaskets is located outboardof said longitudinal edges of said absorbent core.
 10. The absorbentarticle according to claim 9 wherein a spacing distance between saidinboard edge of each of said leg containment gaskets and saidlongitudinal edges of said absorbent core is at least about 0.5centimeters.
 11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein atleast about 30 percent of said bodyfacing surface of each of said legcontainment gaskets is configured to be in a contacting relationshipwith said wearer's body when in use.
 12. The absorbent article accordingto claim 1 wherein each of said leg containment gaskets is configured toprovide at least about 34 square centimeters of contact with saidwearer's body when in use.
 13. The absorbent article according to claim1 wherein said inboard edge of each of said leg containment gaskets isconfigured to provide a channel to contain body exudates.
 14. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said at least one elasticmember of each of said leg containment gaskets is elongated at leastabout 150 percent before being attached to said leg containment gasket.15. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein each of said legcontainment gaskets is elongated from at least about 10 percent beforebeing attached to said longitudinal side portions of said absorbentarticle.
 16. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said atleast one elastic member of each of said leg containment gasketscomprises at least one strand of elastic.
 17. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 1 wherein each of said leg containment gasketscomprises:i) a facing layer which provides said bodyfacing surface ofsaid leg containment gasket; ii) a substrate layer which is disposed ina facing relationship with said facing layer; and iii) said at least oneelongated elastic member which is disposed between and attached to atleast one of said facing layer and said substrate layer.
 18. Theabsorbent article according to claim 17 wherein said facing layer ofeach of said leg containment gaskets comprises a through-air bondedbicomponent spunbond web.
 19. The absorbent article according to claim17 wherein said substrate layer of each of said leg containment gasketsis provided by said outer cover of said absorbent article.
 20. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1 wherein each of said legcontainment gaskets has a Gurley Stiffness of at least about 50milligrams.
 21. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein eachof said leg containment gaskets has a Gurley Stiffness of at least about100 milligrams.
 22. The absorbent article according to claim 1 whereinsaid longitudinal side portions of said absorbent article are in aparallel relationship thereby providing said absorbent article with asubstantially rectangular configuration.
 23. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 1 wherein each of said leg containment gaskets isconfigured to space said absorbent core away from said wearer's bodywhen in use.
 24. An absorbent article which includes a front portion, arear portion, a crotch portion which extends between and connects saidfront portion to said rear portion and a pair of longitudinal sideportions, said absorbent article comprising:a) an outer cover; b) abodyside liner which is superposed on said outer cover; c) an absorbentcore which is located between said outer cover and said bodyside linerand which includes a pair of longitudinal edges; d) a pair of legcontainment gaskets, each of which includes an inboard edge, an outboardedge, a width, a thickness, a bodyfacing surface which is configured tobe in a contacting relationship with a wearers body when in use and atleast one elongated elastic member which is configured to gather saidleg containment gasket when relaxed, wherein said outboard edge isattached to said longitudinal side portions of said absorbent articlealong a substantially continuous attached width and said inboard edgeremains unattached from said longitudinal side portions in at least saidcrotch portion of said absorbent article along an unattached width andwherein said substantially continuous attached width of each of said legcontainment gaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbent article isat least about 60 percent of said width of each of said leg containmentgaskets; and e) at least one waist containment gasket which includes aninside edge, an outside edge, and a bodyside surface which extends alonga width of said waist containment gasket and which is configured to bein a contacting relationship with said wearer's body when in use whereinsaid outside edge is attached to said absorbent article and said insideedge remains unattached from said absorbent article along at least aportion of a length of said waist containment gasket.
 25. An absorbentarticle which includes a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portionwhich extends between and connects said front portion to said rearportion and a pair of longitudinal side portions, said absorbent articlecomprising:a) an outer cover; b) a bodyside liner which is superposed onsaid outer cover; c) an absorbent core which is located between saidouter cover and said bodyside liner and which includes a pair oflongitudinal edges; d) a pair of leg containment gaskets, each of whichinclude an inboard edge, an outboard edge and a width wherein saidoutboard edge is attached to said longitudinal side portions of saidabsorbent article along a substantially continuous attached width andsaid inboard edge remains unattached from said longitudinal sideportions in at least said crotch portion of said absorbent article alongan unattached width and wherein said substantially continuous attachedwidth of each of said leg containment gaskets in said crotch portion ofsaid absorbent article is at least about 60 percent of said width ofeach of said leg containment gaskets; and e) at least one waist flapwhich includes a proximal edge which is attached to said absorbentarticle and a distal edge which is configured to overlap said inboardedge of each of said leg containment gaskets and which remainsunattached from said bodyside liner of said absorbent article betweensaid inboard edges of said leg containment gaskets wherein said inboardedge of each of said leg containment gaskets is configured to maintainsaid distal edge of said waist flap in a spaced apart relationship fromsaid bodyside liner.
 26. The absorbent article according to claim 25wherein said absorbent core includes a crotch width in said crotchportion of said absorbent article which is less than about 7.6centimeters.
 27. The absorbent article according to claim 25 whereinsaid attached width of each of said leg containment gaskets in saidcrotch portion of said absorbent article is at least about 75 percent ofsaid width of each of said leg containment gaskets.
 28. The absorbentarticle according to claim 25 wherein said attached width of each ofsaid leg containment gaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbentarticle is at least about 1.0 centimeters.
 29. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 25 wherein said unattached width of each of said legcontainment gaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbent article isat least about 1 millimeter.
 30. The absorbent article according toclaim 25 wherein said attached width of each of said leg containmentgaskets in said crotch portion of said absorbent article is greater thansaid unattached width of each of said leg containment gaskets in saidcrotch portion of said absorbent article.
 31. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 25 wherein said inboard edge of each of said legcontainment gaskets is located outboard of said longitudinal edges ofsaid absorbent core.
 32. The absorbent article according to claim 25wherein said inboard edge of each of said leg containment gaskets isconfigured to provide a channel to contain body exudates.
 33. Theabsorbent article according to claim 25 wherein each of said legcontainment gaskets comprises:i) a facing layer which provides saidbodyfacing surface of said leg containment gasket; ii) a substrate layerwhich is disposed in a facing relationship with said facing layer; andiii) at least one elongated elastic member which is disposed between andattached to at least one of said facing layer and said substrate layerwherein said at least one elastic member is configured to gather saidleg containment gasket when relaxed.
 34. The absorbent article accordingto claim 25 wherein each of said leg containment gaskets has a GurleyStiffness of at least about 50 milligrams.
 35. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 25 wherein said at least one waist flap is liquidimpermeable.
 36. The absorbent article according to claim 25 whereinsaid at least one waist flap comprises a nonwoven laminate material. 37.The absorbent article according to claim 25 wherein said at least onewaist flap includes at least one elastic element disposed along saiddistal edge of said at least one waist flap.
 38. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 37 wherein said at least one elastic element isdisposed between said inboard edge of each of said leg containmentgaskets.
 39. The absorbent article according to claim 37 wherein said atleast one elastic element comprises a strand of elastic.